The Orchard Garden Hotel

Description:

• If Al Gore was a hotelier, this would be his hotel. The new $25-million-dollar Orchard Garden Hotel is California's first generation of truly "green" hotels and the only hotel in the state that was built to the nationally accepted standards for green buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). From the eco-friendly construction materials to an in-room recycling system and the use of organic, citrus-based cleaning products, just about every aspect of this vanguard property is geared toward creating a healthy environment for guests and staff. It's also the first hotel in the city to use the European-style keycard system that turns power off to the entire room each time you leave, thereby saving about 20% in energy consumption. But going green doesn't mean you have to cut back on comfort -- yes, that's Egyptian cotton linen on the king-size bed, real feather down in the pillows, and plush spa-style robes in the closet. The 86 guest rooms are super-insulated (and very quiet), and decorated in natural wood tones with soothing light colors. Spacious bathrooms come with Aveda bath products (organic, of course). High-tech toys include HD LCD TVs, DVD/CD players, iPod docking stations, and dual-line cordless telephones on large work desks. The hotel also has a pleasant rooftop garden, a small fitness center (and $15 passes to Club One), and the lobby-level Roots Restaurant, which serves contemporary American cuisine made from locally sourced organic products for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel's location at Bush and Grant streets is ideal, with Chinatown, Union Square, and the Financial District all just a short walk away. Note: If the hotel is fully booked, inquire about their sister property -- the Orchard Hotel -- up the street.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Whole Travel

•  Sustainable/ Green Hotel 2009

CitySearch

•  Business Hotel 2007

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010